Photofacial Treatments in Philadelphia

A photofacial is a skin treatment used to address various dermatological issues and improve the complexion. At Metro Laser, we utilize a specific Alexandrite laser technology for our photofacials. This laser emits high-energy light that turns into heat to target and treat specific areas, without harming the surrounding skin. The process, known as photothermolysis, effectively handles pigmentation problems, enhancing your overall complexion.

Photofacials are great for improvements such as

• A more even complexion
• Fewer brown spots
• Improvement in sun damage

Photofacials might be used alone or as part of our broader array of skin treatments for improvement of:

• Brown spots, including age and liver spots
• Discoloration
• Freckles 
• Photo Damage (Sun Damage)

Additional Notes:

• Photofacial treatments are usually the best way to address sun damage for people with lighter skin tones.
• There is some evidence that photofacials can actually prevent premature aging of the skin.
• Photofacials compliment other anti-aging treatments very well such as injectables and fillers. 
• Photofacials provide dramatic results with less downtime compared to deep chemical peels.

Photofacials can be used almost anywhere on the body except those very close to the eyes.

Besides the face, most patients who can benefit from photofacial commonly get treatments on the neck, upper chest, shoulders and backs of hands. Like the face, these areas are most prone to sun damage and pigmentation issues.

Photofacials can be used almost anywhere on the body except those very close to the eyes.

Besides the face, most patients who can benefit from photofacial commonly get treatments on the neck, upper chest, shoulders and backs of hands. Like the face, these areas are most prone to sun damage and pigmentation issues.

While you might notice improvement even after your first procedure, results are cumulative. Most people need a course of five to eight sessions for the best results. The treatments should be spaced around three weeks apart to allow the skin time to heal and rejuvenate.

You will be able to see gradual improvement after each procedure. At first, your skin will be smoother and more even. Then, you will start noticing that the brown spots are getting lighter, while the redness is fading away. After finishing your treatment course, it is best to have maintenance procedures every six months or so. Thisl ensures that you maintain optimal results.

Most professional skin rejuvenation treatments share a common goal: they aim to trigger a healing and rejuvenation process by interacting with the skin. However, the manner and depth of this interaction vary across different treatments due to the complex nature of the skin.

Some treatments are “ablative,” meaning they remove layers of skin and are more invasive. Others focus on promoting collagen production to tighten the skin.

In the realm of laser-based treatments, Alexandrite laser stands out. Unlike some treatments that create perforations in the top layers of the skin, Alexandrite laser treatment employs a high-energy light converted to heat energy to target specific areas, working through a process called photothermolysis. This process uses light (photo) to heat (thermo) a selected area for destruction (lysis), causing precise tissue destruction of the targeted lesion while leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged​¹​.

This distinction makes Alexandrite laser-based Photofacials an excellent choice for cases that do not require resurfacing or repair of skin texture but need improvement in pigment or capillary visibility.

At Metro Laser, we prioritize understanding each patient’s unique needs to suggest the safest, most effective treatment or combination of treatments to meet your skincare goals.

Photofacials are usually not suitable for tanned skin or naturally dark skin. Avoid tanning for several weeks prior to treatment. Talk to our skin rejuvenation professionals to see if your skin tone will be conducive to photofacial. If we find that your skin is not well suited to this treatment, we will be able to recommend another course of treatment for darker skin types.

General avoidance of sun exposure is recommended before and after your treatment. Your skincare professional at Metro Laser will give you more specifics prior to treatment. 

Photofacials are not recommended for skin with eczema or psoriasis.

We will help you understand which topical products to use and which to avoid for the immediate time before and after your treatment.

Photofacial may not be suitable for you if you are on certain kinds of antibiotics. If you are on any antibiotics, we will be able to determine if it is safe for you to get photofacial or if you’ll need to wait until your course of medication is complete.